Board Members
Your Chamber of Commerce Board
- Steve Harcourt (President)
- Vacant (Vice President)
- Corin Crane (CEO)
- James Minshaw FCCA (Finance Director)
- Dr Alan Malik
- David Burton
- Joanne Glover
- Sarah Windrum
- Steve Halkett
- Steve Twigger FCCA, ACA
The Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Board is made up of representatives from a diverse range of business sizes & sectors, to inform, support and provide expertise on a wide range of business areas.
Our board's primary purpose is to ensure the prosperity of the Chamber by mutually directing the finance and policy agenda.
Our Board meets bi-monthly to strategically set and assess the aims and objectives of the Executive Officers and the senior management team. The Board takes a hands-on approach to their directorship and regularly represent the Chamber of Commerce at various events throughout the calendar year.
Should you wish to contact any of your Chamber Board Members, please speak to Brenda Scholtz, email [email protected] or call 024 7665 4321
Our current Chamber of Commerce President is Steve Harcourt, Director of Prime Accountants Group.
Chamber President
Steve Harcourt
Prime Accountants Group
Website: www.primeaccountants.co.uk
Steve has worked in Coventry since graduating from Middlesex University with a BA in Geography & Environmental Management 25 years ago. Where he started on his chosen career path as a trainee accountant in a small single partner firm in the City.
Then, in 2007, Steve took the decision to further his career at Prime Accountants Group, having previously gained ten years’ experience working for a Coventry-based sole practitioner, where he trained and qualified with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Following numerous promotions Steve was appointed a director of Prime Accountants in July 2017.
Steve has extensive experience of all aspects of accounting including cash flow reporting and compiling internal financial reports. Steve manages the entire outsourced virtual accounts office for one of the region’s leading tourist attractions. He also has his own varied client portfolio, where clients range in size & sectors.
An approachable and commercially astute accountant, Steve is focused on offering clients added value. He has particular expertise in the Engineering and Construction sectors. Born and bred in Bedworth, Steve now resides in Nuneaton with his wife Claire and two children. Outside of work Steve has been a member of Nuneaton golf club for over 25 years and tries to find time to play as often as possible. He is also a keen cyclist and lifelong supporter of Coventry City Football Club.
Chief Executive
Corin Crane
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
Website: www.cw-chamber.co.uk
Corin Crane studied English and Politics at De Montfort University and a Post Grad in Human Resource Management at Leeds University. He then worked for the TUC in Yorkshire and Humberside, Advantage West Midlands Rural Regeneration, Learning and Skills Council and Telford and Wolverhampton Councils heading up Economic Development and Inward Investment teams.
Corin was Director of the Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership where he had overall responsibility for around £200m of funds to drive regeneration and help local businesses grow. Also, he chaired the European Structural Funds Committee that oversees the management of around £90m of funding aimed at SME business growth and skills work.
In 2016 Corin became the Chief Executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce which is membership organisation that supports the growth and prosperity of Black Country businesses, they are secretariat for the Black Country All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and lead the Black Country Business Festival which is now the second biggest festival of its kind in the UK.
Corin is now the new Group Chief Executive of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) which includes Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training and Destination Coventry.
Finance Director
James Minshaw FCCA
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
Website: www.cw-chamber.co.uk
James grew up in Coventry, going on to study History and Politics at the University of Leicester.
Before joining the Chamber he worked for the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs for 19 years, beginning in an administrative role before moving into accounting, over time growing into the lead finance role.
As Finance Director for the Chamber Group, James has strategic financial oversight of the Chamber of Commerce, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training and Destination Coventry.
Board Members
Dr Alan Malik
Exasoft Group
Website: www.exasoftgroup.com
Alan founded Coventry-based Exasoft in 1993, providing software to major financial institutions used to calculate billions of pounds in financial redress for millions of UK consumers.
In 2007 Exasoft won the Queens Award for Innovation and in 2017 Alan was awarded with an honorary doctorate from Coventry University.
Previously Alan was the chairman of CCFC Asia, which was setup to raise funds to send university students to a football academy in India (Rurka Klan), whilst also bringing Asian businesspeople together to watch CCFC. Alan is an avid football fan, having been involved with operation premiership and frequenting the CCFC boardroom since the move to the Ricoh/CBS Arena.
Exasoft Group expanded into digital services, through acquisition, and built the Coventry City of Culture 2021 website & app along with some 360 videos of shows. Other companies in the group include f2uni (alumni fundraising software) and Credit-U building apps to help financially vulnerable people.
Alan has participated in numerous half marathons, as well as four full marathons, raising funds for local charities. Personal and business supporter of local charities including Coventry Cathedral, Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice and the Coventry Food Bank. Trustee of the mental health charity “It Takes Balls To Talk”, helping to prevent male suicides. As a businessman with an Indian father, mutual respect and honesty are two qualities Alan values greatly.
David Burton
Spencer Gardner Dickins
David Burton, a Coventrian and director of the Chamber, is a chartered accountant who has been in practice in Coventry his entire professional career, currently as Chair of Spencer Gardner Dickins.
He is a Freeman of the City of Coventry and a former President of the Warwickshire Society of Chartered Accountants. As a corporate finance practitioner he has been involved with many of the local company management buy outs, acquisitions and sales, giving him a detailed knowledge of a large range of business sectors.
Joanne Glover
Coventry BID
Website: www.coventrybid.co.uk
Jo is the Chief Executive of Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) and has held this pivotal role since June 2022. Under Jo's guidance, the BID underwent a successful ballot securing a fifth term, extending its operation until 2028.
For the upcoming term, Jo's primary focus revolves around enhancing Safety and Security in the city centre - a priority area identified by the levy payers. Collaborating closely with local businesses, Jo spearheads various initiatives, notably the 'Best Bar None' program.
Additionally, Jo actively participates in the West Midlands Combined Authority Night Time Economy Steering Group, contributing expertise and insights to shape policies and strategies in this domain.
Sarah Windrum
HORIBA MIRA
Website: www.miratechnologypark.com
Other Roles: North Warwickshire Local Business Forum Chair
Sarah Windrum is the Future Mobility Cluster Lead at HORIBA MIRA.
Sarah is a technology business founder and investor leading the development of HORIBA MIRA’s future mobility cluster at the heart of the Midlands.
The MIRA Technology Park is an 850-acre site on the Leicestershire / Warwickshire border and home to over 40 global tenants specialising in mobility research & development. The world-leading blend of facilities and expertise at HORIBA MIRA from Assured CAV and Safe AI standards to the Driving Experience simulator and Cleantech Test Hub all enable the accelerated delivery of new technologies to market and support decarbonisation of transport at scale to make all our journeys safer, cleaner, and smarter.
Sarah was formerly Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and still serves on the Midlands Engine Digital Board, the West Midlands Economic Growth and Innovation Boards, and the Mental Health Productivity Programme Advisory Body.
She is also a Regional Fellow at University of Warwick, a member of WCG Group’s Industry Advisory Board, and a recent MSc graduate from Coventry University in Data Science.
Steve Halkett
Lodders Solicitors LLP
Website: www.lodders.co.uk
Steve is a dynamic partner at Lodders Solicitors LLP, with a distinguished legal career rooted in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.
Lodders is an award-winning law firm, boasting offices in Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, Cheltenham, and Henley-in-Arden.
As a corporate lawyer, Steve has been pivotal in facilitating numerous high-profile business transactions and investments, benefiting the region.
His expertise has helped both individuals and corporates to navigate the complexities of buying and selling businesses, making him a trusted advisor in the corporate world.
Steve Twigger FCA, FCCA
Les Praz Consulting Ltd
Steve has been a qualified accountant for 40 years and apart from 4 years of his professional training in London has always worked in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. Steve has qualified both as a chartered and certified accountant.
Steve was a Director and Partner of Luckmans Duckett Parker Ltd of Coventry from 1992 until his retirement from practice in 2022.
Since 2022 Steve has run his own practice through Les Praz Consulting Ltd looking after a select few high-net-worth individuals helping them run their businesses and dealing with company acquisitions and sales.
As a main board director of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Steve provides detailed and wide-ranging business advice following his many years in private practice.
